APPLE, ONION AND CHEDDAR GRATIN

You may know that apple pie and cheddar cheese are a long-time traditional dish, particularly in New England. This apple, onion and cheddar gratin celebrates the tradition in a little different style. You’ll love this dish as a side to any meal, particularly in the late summer through winter, when apples are in season.

1 cup milk

1 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp all purpose flour

½ tsp allspice

½ tsp salt

4 apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1 cup chopped onions, lightly sauted in olive oil

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

1 cup chopped walnuts

½ cup bread crumbs

parsley for garnish, optional

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly oil a 8x10 baking dish. In a sauce pan scald milk, bringing it almost to a boil. Meanwhile, in another small sauce pan, melt butter and whisk in the flour. Slowly add the scalded milk, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens. Add allspice, salt, and cloves and stir for another 30 seconds to 1 minute until thick.

Layer apples and then onions in dish until they are all added to the dish. Sprinkle on the grated cheese and pour the sauce over the top. Scatter the breadcrumbs and then walnuts on the top of the dish.